Sunday, August 30, 2020 – POSTED: Tuesday, September 1, 2020
I did not sleep well. I woke up about 2:30 PM. My brain was like, “Since you’re awake…” So I start scanning social media.
A friend then messages me that I show as online and she asks to call. That meant a lot to me. We commiserated on our various maladies and woes. I tried my best to encourage her, and she did a great job of encouraging me. I’m going to help her get started streaming on Twitch. She even suggested we do something together.
Well, it’s 5:00 AM and I’m still wide awake, so I get up and start the kettle for some oatmeal. I come upstairs and start recording my day.
Happy Birthday, Mom!
Today my Mom would have been 76 years old. In two weeks, I’ll remember it’s been fifteen years since she died. I was really missing her. I have been really emotional since waking up after surgery. At first, I was attributing all to the anesthesia. I’ll ask my doctor about that tomorrow when I finally get this catheter out. I was crying rivers of tears, missing Mom. It’s OK to cry, I’m just surprised at how emotional I’ve been. I don’t mean it in a negative way, I’ve just been feeling my emotions more intensely since surgery. Is it effects of general anesthesia, or am I just happy to be alive? Maybe it’s both.
I remember my Mom on her birthday by wearing red, her favorite color. I’m going to make her grandmother’s chocolate cake recipe, because I’ve been jonesing for it for a long time. I’m still celebrating being alive. Mom called this cake, “the best you ever ate.”
We have the recipe because in high school, my uncle set out known quantities of all the ingredients and determined the recipe by determining what was missing. My great-grandmother cooked by eye and feel, so there was no written recipe.
It’s the kind of cake I want for every birthday.
Game On!
As I mentioned yesterday, I run a weekly D&D game on Sunday. I run it from Noon to about 3:30 pm. I made some preparations, and have a few others. These preparations are not for just tomorrow’s session, but will help me be prepared for contingencies for the next few sessions so things flow more smoothly.
The only issue is I’m wide awake now, but what will happen in six and a half hours when it’s game time?
I’m really looking forward to what my players decide to do. It’s basically make believe with rules. As DM (Dungeon Master) I control the world and all the people and creatures that are not the player characters. I have to make my world and it’s inhabitants react to what the players do. This makes the world come alive. It is a cooperative story telling experience and the dice are used when the outcome is not certain, like combat.
Anticipation
I get my catheter out tomorrow. I’m not sure how I’ll be feeling, so I’m not planning to do anything. I’m all set to take a prescription pain pill. I’ll be very surprised if I don’t need it.
Itching
The incision sites for the laparoscopy were itching like crazy. I guess that means things are healing.
Some of the incisions are now raised bumps. I assume that’s the normal part of the healing and that is swelling from the abdominal wall knitting itself back together.
The incision for the drain tube is still weeping. The bandage was soaked. It’s not quite blood. It still has the look of iodine. I keep changing the dressing and cleaning the wound. I really wonder how long this will take to close up. I’ll find out tomorrow when I ask a lot of questions. I’ll post the questions and answers, as others may find it informative.
Dozing Off
I dozed off in my desk chair for a couple hours. I finally resorted to a cup of tea to have enough oomph to get through today’s game.
I finally remembered to handle two outstanding issues in preparation for the game, so I’m no longer behind. They are minor, but one will be hilarious to see played out.
It’s now less than twenty-four hours until my appointment to get my catheter out. I am so ready. One more sleep as my granddaughter says until I can sleep in my own bed again. That will be so wonderful!
Counting Down
I’ve done well today. I ran my game and am wrote a session summary, and am wrapping up some other loose ends.
I took a shower and man, did that feel good. I’m getting really anxious for tomorrow. I’m making contingency plans. If I feel OK after the catheter removal, I’ll go on a drive for a change of pace. If I feel miserable, I’ll stay home and read a book.
Men's Health in My Perspective 